Senator Confirms Five Airlines Promised not to Charge Carry-On Bags

US Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) said that he has commitment from five airlines not to charge fees for carry-on baggage.

The five airlines who made the commitment are American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, United Airlines and US Airways. The senator said that he talked to the top officials of the airline companies himself.

This is in answer to the policy made by Spirit Airlines to charge $45 to store luggage in overhead bins.

“We have begun to put the brakes on runaway and out-of-control airline fees,” Schumer said in his press release. “I am pleased some of the major carriers have responded to our efforts and have agreed not to charge for something that has always been free.”

The charging was met by public outcry as airline fees continue to accumulate. Some airlines are already charging for checked baggage, seat assignments and snacks. There is even a report of fees applying for use of lavatories.

Lawmakers are planning to pass legislation that will declare carry-on bags as essential for travel, which is the cause for the incentive to charge the fees. The US Treasury Department has previously ruled that a 7.5 cent tax will be imposed for every dollar collected in fares and will be collected by the federal government. However, non-essential services will be tax-free.